3rd Gen Poll: Rear End Noise howling when feathering throttle

Have you made a video of the noise? I'm curious how loud it is getting for some of you guys in comparison to mine.

 

Oh well. Just a thought. Was gonna try it myself. Like Smitty, it's been too hot to load something for no reason!

 

I haven't but I'll give it a shot and see if the camera mic picks it up. I hear it with the radio on so it may.

 

I had my diff. replaced last week. I can't believe how quiet the truck is now. Mine was finally at the point where I was afraid of a catastrophic break down as it was making a lot of noise all the time driving at say 50 mph and above. I only have a couple hundred miles since but am hoping it is fixed for the long haul. For those who are going to wait for Toyota to come up with a "fix", I was not in that positions as I felt I would soon be left stranded.
Again keep in mind is a 2014, 4X4, Auto, limited slip, Sport and trailer tow package. Rear Differential replaced at 17,000 miles.
As far as an extended service plan or other compensation from Toyota goes, the dealer said they couldn't do anything and that I should talk to Toyota. I have not done that yet.
Good Luck.

 

Yep, I've decided to bring it up and go for the fix at or before my 10k (I'm at 7800 or so now). The 59 mph howl is definitely from the rear, but at 65 mph there is more howling that is just as loud but sounds like it is coming from the front....I sure hope it is playing tricks with my ears and it is only one differential not both with issues.

 

Ok, slight update..... but not really.

Heard back from my case manager today. He told me that he checked with Toyota, the dealership that did the work, and a Southeast Toyota field rep. who all confirmed that the vehicle is considered to be operating normally at this point. Still unknown to me how they can say it is now normal after replacing the differential once for the same issue, but they're sticking to their guns. I pressed him a couple of times for answers about whether this was an issue on Toyota's radar, and if there was anything in the works to eliminate the noise, but the only response I really got was something along the lines of "it's operating normally at this time". So I guess it's someone else's turn to try and get some answers!

Update on my second diff: I'm at about 1,000 miles on the new diff, and the howling seems to be a little louder than it was initially. At 54mph (exactly) it is loudest, which is very noticeable, even over the stereo. Also got some good highway time in this past weekend and noticed a faint howl between 67 - 70mph, which was coming from the rear. However, it's pretty soft at this point so I will keep checking it.

Case manager offered me an 8 year 100k mile Platinum warranty, which I accepted. I did specifically ask about the warranty being transferable, and it is not. According to the CM, if you were to purchase the warranty it is transferable, but the complimentary warranties are non-transferable.

Sorry I don't have any better news for you guys!

 

Interesting that you bring up the noise at 67-70 because last time I was on the interstate I could've swore I had a higher pitched and softer whine at 69 right on the money. Kinda just forgot about it though....

Also they warranty that they gave me is definitely transferable. I think your case manager was feeding you some bs on that one.

 

Just noticed the upper 60s whine this weekend, so I don't have much info on it yet besides that I did not hear it with cruise control on.

Hopefully you're right about the warranty, I'll see what the paperwork says when it comes in. Not a huge deal for me, as I plan on keeping the truck past 100k, but for someone trying to sell a truck with a howling diff. and a Carfax report loaded with dealership visits, a transferable warranty would help with the sale.

 

My diff is set for replacement tomorrow, Wed Aug 24. I drive a lot of hwy miles each day (45 one way) and noticed this morning that when I was cornering at higher speed, the whine changed pitch. I cannot usually drive this section of road at 65mph due to traffic, but I was a few hours earlier than normal. Makes we wonder about axle/shaft angle/load. I do know that my diff also has two different whine tones, a deeper whine at speeds below 53 and a much higher pitch whine at speeds above 53. It is also nonexistent at speeds under 45.

 

Report back when you get the new one and let us know the results.

 

Interesting how quick they are to hand out extended warranties with this issue, while also saying that it's "normal". I actually never mentioned an extended warranty when talking with any of the customer service reps or the case manager, it was the CM that brought it up to me. Seems like if it were actually normal then there would be no need for the warranty, and no reason for them to offer it. Or maybe they just figure we won't need to use it and it will get us to go away.... who knows at this point!

 

Agreed! If I didn't have the diff whine, I would be a happy camper! It is the only thing keeping me from being 100% in love with my truck.

 

Makes me wonder if something else on the truck is causing it to happen. I'm no mechanic and really don't know the ins and outs of how everything works.

But it seems like some people have this issue and some don't. The ones who get it repaired seem to get the same problem again.

It's one of the things.

Horrible luck.
Something else on your truck is causing it
They all have the problem and toyota is going to be out a lot of money

 

I had the shifting TSB performed as well and also noticed better MPG. I took a trip from Southwest Colorado where I live to Keystone, CO (360 miles one-way) with several 11,000 foot passes in the way and I averaged 26.4 up and 25.8 coming back. My normal commute gets 23.1 routinely.

 

I wonder if many people mistake it for road/wind/tire noise? If you don't drive above 53 continuously and have to let on/off the gas pedal much, some might never know it is there.

 

Higher than EPA estimates in the mountains, I'm gonna call BS there.

 

I'd be willing to bet that most people that have the noise will never notice/pay it any attention until it becomes a bigger problem.

 

Went straight to the highway when I left the dealership and noticed the howl right away, under the same conditions.

Edit: Should mention that my first diff made no noticeable noise until around 500 miles, the second one howled immediately.

 

My Sr5 4x4 has it, I'm waiting till my 10k to bring it up, have video clip and everything.

 

His truck must be set to kilometers.